Roxon ready to come to table with states

Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon insists she is optimistic about today’s meeting with the states and territories over the next healthcare agreement, despite serious tensions surfacing.

The states want an extra $3 billion a year over the next five years to address what they say was a funding shortfall under the previous government.

There is also disagreement over what conditions the Commonwealth might attach to any funding.

But Ms Roxon says there is nothing unusual about these arguments before such an important meeting.

“Of course there is going to be disagreement and argument, that’s what good negotiations are about,” she said.

“But we’re all driven by what will deliver the best outcomes for patients. That will be the measure.”

“And if we can convince the states that this is a measure that will help patients, if the states can convince us that some different investment from the Commonwealth will help patients, then those will be the things that will be on the table at the end of the day.”

Ms Roxon is not committing to a figure but says any money will come with strings.

“We will be making sure that there are serious performance monitoring measures attached to any money we provide,” she said.

New South Wales’ Health Minister Reba Meagher is demanding the Commonwealth lift its split of hospital funding from around 40 per cent to 50.

“Reform will only be successful if there is genuine investment in change,” she said.

But Tasmania’s Health Minister Lara Giddings is not hopeful.

“It’s starting to look like it will be unrealistic to have all the detail by June on a new healthcare agreement,” she said.

Ms Roxon says she will keep meeting with the states until agreement is reached.